Machine for preparing coffee, white coffee or similar infused beverages, on single or multiple doses thereof

ABSTRACT

A machine for preparing coffee, white coffee or similar infused beverages, on single or multiple doses thereof, utilizes waffles (40) packed in advance, applied in a continuous band (41), in a number sufficient to prepare various coffees or other infused beverages. The machine has guide and feeding device (43) associated to the infusion units (35), (36) and the filters (97), (98) thereof, to determine the advancement of the band (41) through the infusion units (35), (36), by stopping each waffle in correspondence thereto for performing the related infusion operation. The machine may contain also a mixer-emulsifier (52) with conduits (105) communicating or not communicating with the infusion units (35), (36) through a switching valve member (106), for preparing the white coffee or other infused beverages mixed with milk.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a machine for preparing coffee, white coffee orsimilar infused beverages, which are distributed on single or multipledoses thereof, wherein the coffee or the different raw materials forpreparing the respective infused beverages are introduced into wafflespacked in advance.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART

At the present time, there are known machines of different kind forpreparing coffee, white coffee or similar infused beverages, comprisingsubstantially one or more infusion units housed into a box-like housingand provided with a respective boiler for containing water, which issuitably heated by means of electric heating elements connected in themachine electric circuit, and one or more filters in which the groundcoffee (or other raw material for the infusion) is introduced inadvance, which filters are arranged on a position below the relativeinfusion units for permitting the heated water coming from the relatedboiler to pass therethough, thus preparing the coffee or other infusedbeverages.

Moreover, in the case in which such machines are arranged for preparingwhite coffee too, they also include one or more mixer-emulsifier unitsof per se known type, communicating with at least a milk containingreceptacle housed into said machine box-like housing, on a positionabove the corresponding mixer-emulsifier unit. Then, in this case themilk is heated in advance in the machine and introduced on meteredamounts thereof in the corresponding mixer-emulsifier, where itemulsifies itself with air at a pre-established ratio, thereby formingmilk foam, which is subsequently introduced in the receptacle containingthe coffee or other infused beverage which has been prepared in advancein the machine, by mixing with it therewith. These kinds of machinestherefore permit to obtain coffee, white coffee or similar infusedbeverages with different operations, in which first of all are neededthe 1) preparation of the ground coffee (or of the different rawmaterials for the other infused beverages), 2) the introduction in thecorresponding filter thereof, which filter has been detached from themachine in advance, and subsequently coupled in the same machine, andfinally 3) the introduction of the associated infusion unit forpreparing the desired infused beverage, with the need to provide anothermixing with the milk foam thereof, in case in which infused beveragesmixed with milk have to be prepared.

Moreover, there is the need to clean the different filters after aprolonged operation period thereof, for being re-used in subsequentoperations of the same kind and this makes complicated and lesspractical in use the operation and maintenance of these machines andpermits the use thereof exclusively as machines for a bar, wherein theyare able to prepare infused beverages generally in a limited anddiscontinuous frequency, and therefore do not lend themselves evidentlyfor a use in which a continuous preparation of numerous infusedbeverages is required such as for example in community refectories andthe like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has the object to overcome the drawbacks andlimitations of the above mentioned machines, by means of the use of anautomatic operating machine for preparing coffees white coffee orsimilar infused beverages, adapted to prepare in a continuous mannerboth limited and high quantities of such infused beverages with areduced number of operations thereof. This machine is made with thesubstantially described characteristics thereof, with particularreference to the attached patent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be understood better from the following descriptiongiven solely by way of not-limiting examples and with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows schematically a perspective front view of a of a machine inaccordance to the invention, in a first embodiment thereof;

FIG. 2 shows with the same view of the machine of FIG. 1, partiallycutaway in a manner to see the inner component parts thereof;

FIG. 3a shows a perspective front view of a band with the wafflesprepared with the respective raw materials for the infusion, which bandis stacked on yourself;

FIG. 3b shows with the same view of FIG. 3a a waffle of the band of thisFigure, cutaway in a longitudinal direction along the line A--A;

FIG. 3c shows a front view of FIG. 3b;

FIGS. 4 and 5 show respectively a front and a plan view of the waffleband represented in the FIG. 3a;

FIG. 6 shows a cutaway front view of a constructive item of the machineaccording to the inventions displaced in a first operative positionthereof;

FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the constructive item of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows with the same view of FIG. 6 the constructive itemdisplaced in a second operative position thereof;

FIG. 9 shows with the same view of FIG. 6 the constructive itemdisplaced in the same operative position thereof and incorporating thewaffle band;

FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the constructive item of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows with the same view of FIG. 8 the constructive itemdisplaced in the same operative position and incorporating the waffleband;

FIG. 12 shows schematically a front perspective view of anotherconstructive item of the machine according to the invention;

FIG. 13 shows schematically a cutaway front view of a furtherconstructive item of the present machine, in a first embodiment thereof;

FIGS. 14 and 15 show schematically a cutaway front view of two differentembodiments of the constructive item of FIG. 13;

FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 show respectively a schematic front view, a planview and a perspective front view of a component part of theconstructive item of FIG. 13, made in another embodiment thereof;

FIG. 19 shows schematically a cutaway front view of the item with thecomponent part of the FIGS. 16-18;

FIG. 20 shows a part of the electric circuit diagram of the presentmachine;

FIG. 21 shows schematically a perspective front view of the machineaccording to the inventions in a second embodiment thereof;

FIG. 22 shows with the same view the machine of FIG. 21, partiallycutaway so as to show the inner component parts thereof;

FIG. 23 shows a cutaway front view of a constructive item of the machineof FIGS. 21 and 22, displaced in a first operative position thereof;

FIG. 24 shows a plan view of the constructive item of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 shows with the same view of FIG. 23 the constructive itemdisplaced in a second operative position thereof.

In the indicated Figures, there is represented schematically a machineaccording to the invention for preparing coffees white coffee or similarbeverages, on single or multiple doses thereof, which operates fullyautomatically in a way to prepare in a continuous manner both limitedand high quantities of such infused beverages, thereby allowing them tobe employed respectively in bars and rooms where a distribution of suchbeverages with a limited and discontinuous frequency is needed and onrefectories, rooms etc. where a continuous distribution of numerousinfused beverages is needed.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of thismachine is shown which is arranged for preparing and distributingcoffees white coffee and other infused beverages both on a single dosefor a person only and on double or multiple doses for two or morepersons.

For this purpose the machine refered to is substantially constituted bya box-like housing 30 adequately dimensioned and shaped in a manner toform an upper portion 31 containing the different component parts of themachine, which will be described in detail hereinbelow and a lowerportion 32 moved away from the precedent portion so as to form aninterspace 33 with suitable volume, in which portion at least a slidabledrawer 34 is housed, which is provided for receiving and removing thesubstances discharged from the machine after the preparation of therelated infused beverages. The upper portion 31 and the lower portion 32are joined to each other with all the remaining machine structures. Themachine upper portion 31 is structured for housing the component partsfor preparing both the coffee or other infused beverages and the milk,which is mixed with the coffee thereby forming the white coffee, or itis mixed also to the other infused beverages. For convenience, in thepresent machine there will be described only the machine parts forpreparing coffee and white coffee, but of course also other infusedbeverages, mixed or not mixed with milk, may be prepared with the samecriteria.

For this purpose, the upper portion 31 is provided internally with atleast two infusion units 35 and 36 of per se known type, housed on theleft side thereof side-by-side to each other, and each comprising arespective boiler 37 for containing and heating water, which boiler isadequately connected to the water supply or any other separate waterreceptacle (not shown), through conduits and flow regulating memberssuch as solenoid valves or the like (not shown), and associated withelectric heating resistances (also not shown), provided for heatingwater and connected in the machine electric circuit with all theremaining control and regulating members thereof which are also housedinto the upper portion 31.

The object of the infusion units 35 and 36 is to prepare the coffee (orthe other different infused beverages) by means of passage of hot water,which has been prepared and collected in the boilers of the same unit,through adequate waffles packed in advance with the respective neededraw materials, which waffles are moved from time to time correspondingto the infusion units, with subsequent passage of the coffee or other soobtained infused beverages through a corresponding delivery spout 37'and 38 of conventional type, situated below the infusion units and theassociated waffles, from which such beverage finally arrives on anunderlying glass or similar receptacle, which is disposed below eachspout by laying it onto the horizontal supporting plane surface 39constituting the upper closing surface of the machine lower portion 32.

By referring now to the FIGS. 2,3, 4 and 5, there are shown the employedpacked waffles, marked with the reference numeral 40, which areidentical to each other and suitably shaped, with the doubly flaredcylindrical form represented in the Figures referred to or also withdifferent forms, and which are applied at a central position and atidentical and pre-established spacings along a continuous band 41 formedby two strips of paper for foods or other suitable hygienic material,which is permeable to liquids and of limited width, joined together in alongitudinal direction thereof, in such a way that each waffle isincluded between such strips, and projected at the same extent from bothsurfaces of the same band.

Each waffle band 41 is made with an adequate length and such as topermit to prepare various coffees (or other infused beverages) and isintroduced in advance, by stacking and folding it on yourself, on acorresponding collecting magazine 42 extending vertically which isplaced appropriately inside the present machine, at the left sidethereof on a position side-by-side to the infusion units 35 and 36, fromwhich a band is then extracted and advanced as it will be describedthrough a guide and feeding mechanism 43 associated with the infusionunits 35 and 36 and made as described hereinbelow in a manner that thepreparation of the infused beverages is determined on this zone bycontact with the raw material contained into each waffle 41, said bandwith the exhausted waffles arriving finally from the guide and feedingmechanism 43 into the underlying slidable drawer 34, for beingsubsequently extracted at the end of all the provided infusionoperations.

The machine upper portion 31 is also provided with a box-like tank 44for containing milk, housed on a corresponding inner cavity of the samemachine and accessible through an overturning closing lid 45, hinged tothe uppper wall 46 of the machine. The tank 44 is associated preferablywith a compression refrigerating system of conventional type, shown inthe FIG. 12 which shows the compressor 47, the finned refrigeratingbattery 48 acting as condenser, which in turn is cooled by an adequatefan 49, the desiccator 50, the capillary tube 51, while the evporator ofthis system, not shown in the Figure, is wound around the same tank, soas to cool it at a temperature sufficient to preserve the milk, which iscontained in the correspondent vessels which are disposed into saidtank.

In turn, the tank 44 communicates through suitable conduits (notindicated) with at least an underlying mixer-emulsifier 52, which inturn communicates with the infusion units 35 and 36 on the positionswhich will be described hereinbelow in order to draw metered quantitiesof milk from each vessel housed in the tank 44 and convey them throughthe mixer-emulsifier 52, so as to prepare the white coffee or otherinfused beverages mixed with milk as it will be described hereinbelowand finally to distribute them into an underlying glass or similarcontainer, which is disposed below said mixer-emulsifier by supportingit on the machine horizontal plane surface 39.

Finally, the machine upper portion 31 is provided with at least aconduit 53 for the passage of hot steam, joined to the steam generatorwhich is also provided inside the machine, in order to heat at will thedifferent distributed beverages. For selecting the different operativeprograms to be performed, the present machine is provided with selectiondevices and indicators of electronic types included in differentseparate control panelboards 54,55 and 56 applied in the front part ofthe machine upper portion 31 and associated to adequate control logiccircuits (not shown) and to the different machine component parts so asto select and display from time to time the respectively neededoperative programs, which are performed under the control through thecircuits, as it will be described.

In particular, the control panelboard 54 is constituted by the set ofselector push-buttons 57, 58 59, 60 and 61 with the associated L.E.D. orsimilar luminous indicators, which indicate the respective on or offposition thereof by turning on or off the light, and by a display 62(formed by a 2-lines LCD with 16 characters) for indicating theoperative parameters and programs which are respectively selectedthrough the push-buttons, as well as any possible alarm system providedin the machine for controlling the correct operation of the differentcomponent parts.

The push-button 57 serves for the selection of a single coffee dose, fora single person only (an espresso coffee), or the other infusedbeverages, which are distributed through the spout 37'. The push-button58 serves for the selection of a respective single coffee dose, for twodifferent persons (two espresso coffees), or the other infusedbeverages, which are distributed through the spouts 37' and 38. Thecoffee doses for one or two persons may be adjusted at will by action onthe same push-buttons as described, up to a maximal amount recommendedby the manufacturer or distributor for maintaining an agreeable coffeetaste. In turn, the push-button 59 serves for the selection of a coffeedose, however with the addition of a metered quantity of hot water (aweak espresso coffee), for a single person, or the other infusedbeverages, which are distributed through the spout 37'. The push-button60 serves for the selection of a respective coffee dose, however withthe addition of a metered quantity of hot water (two weak espressocoffees) for two persons, or the other infused beverages, which aredistributed through the spouts 37' and 38. The push-button 61 serves tostop the machine operation (stop position) and to set the differentparameters of each operative program which can be performed in themachine, by displaying them on the display 62, together with anypossible provided alarm system, as well as the different machineoperative programs which will be described hereinbelow and which arealso displayed on the display 62, which programs are stored in advancein the software system of the associated control logic circuits made asintegrated circuits, included on one or more electronic cards connectedelectrically to the panelboard 54 and the remaining panelboards 55 and56.

In turn, the control panelboard 55 is constituted by the set of selectorpush-buttons 63, 64 and 65 with L.E.D or similar luminous indicatorsassociated therewith, which indicate the light of the respectivepositions on or off. The push-buttons 63 and 64 serve to regulate thehot water supply duration, respectively for preparing the infusedbeverages in the manner which will be described hereinbelow and fordifferent uses, the water passing through a further conduit 64'. Thepush-button 65 serves for time controlling the steam distribution, bypassing it through the conduit 53.

Finally, also the remaining control panelboard 56 is constituted by aset of selector push-buttons 66, 67, 68, 69, 70 and 71 with L.E.D. orsimilar luminous indicators associated therewith, which indicate therespective on or off position thereof by turning on or off the light,which position is also displayed on the display 62, said push-buttonsbeing provided for regulating the distribution of milk coming from theassociated vessel housed in the tank 44. In particular, the push-button66 serves for the selection of a single dose of white coffee, for asingle person (one white coffee), or milk mixed with other infusedbeverages which is distributed through the mixer-emulsifier 52. Thepush-button 67 serves for the selection of a respective single dose ofwhite coffee, for two different persons (double white coffee), or milkmixed with other infused beverages which is always distributed throughthe mixer-emulsifier 52. As hereinabove also in this case each dose ofcoffee (or other infused beverage) to be distributed in the same mannerand for the same purpose as described above can be changed. Thepush-button 68 serves for the selection of a pre-established andvariable milk dose, for a single person, (a single does of normal milk),which is distributed through the mixer-emulsifier 52.

The push-button 69 serves for the selection of a respectivepre-established and variable milk dose, for two different persons (adouble dose of normal milk), which is always distributed through themixer-emulsifier 52.

The push-button 70 serves for the selection of a pre-established andvariable dose of emulsified milk, for a single person, thereby formingmilk foam, which is distributed through the mixer-emulsifier 52.Finally, the remaining push-button 71 serves to stop the machineoperation (stop position) and to perform the same functions of thepreceding push-button 61 of the control panelboard 54.

Turning now to FIG. 1 again, the present machine is providedadditionally with two flat grates 73 and 74, applied onto correspondingthrough openings (not indicated) provided through the supporting planesurface 39, below respectively the delivery spouts 37' and 38, themixer-emulsifier 52, the steam conduit 53 and the water conduit 64', inorder to collect the liquids and wastes passing therethrough and toconvey them on a tray (not indicated), included in the machine lowerportion 32 and communicating with such through openings, for thesubsequent elimination of these liquids and wastes.

Finally, the present machine is constituted by an overturning lid 75,applied on the upper portion 31 thereof, and extended below the controlpanelboards 54, 55 and 56. The lid has an opening and through anassociated key 72 actuates a safety microswitch (not shown), connectedin the machine electric circuit, which in turn provides for switchingoff the electric supply of the whole machine, through an associated andremote control switch (not shown too), thereby permitting the neededintervention on the different electric component parts of the samemachine to be performed.

Turning now, particularly to the FIGS. 2 and 6-11, there are describedthe machine guide and feeding mechanism 43, as well as the maincomponent parts thereof and their operation mode. In particular, theguide and feeding mechanism 43 substantially comprises two flat andmetallic rectilinear guide members 76 and 77 parallel and spaced away toeach other, fixed in the machine at a position below the infusion units35 and 36, supporting at their inlet end portion (at the lef side) a setof idle rollers 78, 79 and 80 and at their outlet end portion (at theright side) a set of powered rollers 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85, associatedwith a spring system 86 and a bracket 87 provided with two shanks 88 and89 fixed to the oposite guide member. Shank 89 projects verticallydownward beyond the same powered rollers, for the reasons which will bedescribed. In particular, these powered rollers are driven by anassociated electric motor 90 fixed laterally to such guide members 76and 77, through suitable speed changing gear members (not shown)associated to such motors in order to provide for advancing the waffleband 41 through the entire mechanism referred to, in the direction A,from the inlet end portion in which it is introduced with the wafflesready for the infusion operation, to the outlet end portion thereof inwhich such band with the exhausted waffles after the infusion operationis entrained by said powered rollers into the underlying machineslidable drawer 34.

A sensor for sensing the presence of the waffle band 41 madeadvantageously as a microswitch 91 positioned near one of the idlerollers, in this case the roller 80, is also provided on the inlet endportion of the above mentioned guide and feeding mechanism 43, whichsensor is connected to the machine electric circuit and arranged forcontrolling the electric motor 90, in a manner to switch it on and offwhen said microswitch respectively senses the presence or absence of thewaffles 40 in the waffle band 41. In the case of the presence of theband, the microswitch is operated by the passage of each waffle 40 fromone operative position to the other one thereof, by generatingcorresponding electric pulses which are recognized and counted by themachine control logic circuits, which as response provide for switchingthe electric motor 90 on when the first electric pulse generated by theinitial portion of the first band waffle is sensed, thereby causing thesame band to advance in the mechanism 43, and switching such motor offwhen the electric pulse generated by the initial portion of thesubsequent waffle is sensed, thereby causing the advancing band to stopat such a position as one or two new waffles, each one following thepreceding one, are always positioned below the associated infusionunits, waiting for the carrying out of the correspondent infusionoperation with the criteria which will be described.

Let us now consider in detail the structural composition of the infusionunits 35 and 36 which are constituted, in addition to the abovementioned boilers 37, which are placed side-by-side to each other andrigidly secured on the upper side of the guide and feeding mechanism 43,also by a movable unit portion 92 situated at a position below bothboilers 37 and reciprocatingly sliding along a set of vertical andparallel rods 93, secured to the lower side of said mechanism 43 andprojected downward to a certain extent thereof.

The movable unit portion 92 is provided with two hoppers 94 housedinside cups 95, shaped with a size almost corresponding to the size ofthe pair of boilers 37 and delimited at its lower side by a flatterminal wall 96. The hoppers 94 are made integral with half-filters 97at the upper open end portion thereof and are provided on a position andwith size which is exactly corresponding to those ones of anotherhalf-filter 98, provided on a respective lower through opening 99 of theboilers, said half-filters 97 and 98 being adapted to contain arespective waffle 40 packed in advance when they are moved to a positionclose to each other as it will be described hereinbelow.

The movable unit portion 92 is also provided with a further flat wall100, at a position below and spaced away as well as parallel withrespect to the preceding flat wall 96, and is operated vertically with areciprocating rectilinear movement by an eccentric or cam 101 or similarelement, which receives a rotary motion from an electric motor 102secured laterally to the mechanism 43 and rotating in the interspacecomprised between both the flat walls 96 and 100, in such a way as toact onto either one of such flat walls during the rotation thereof, soas to move the unit portion 92 from the lowered position thereof shownin the FIGS. 6 and 9, in which the half-filters 97 and 98 of each pairare moved away from each other, thereby permitting the waffle band 41 topass therethrough, with consequent positioning of the waffles into suchhalf-filter pair for performing the relative infusion operation, to araised position shown in the FIGS. 8 and 11, in which the half-filters97 and 98 of each pair are close to each other, thereby providing toenclose the associated waffles positioned here and permitting theinfusion operation thereof. Moreover, this latter position is attainedwhile dampening any possible impact stresses by bringing a lock 103secured to the end portion of the flat wall 100 into abutment with theopposite end portion of the shank 89 of the bracket 87, with consequentcompression of the spring system 86.

Besides the hoppers 94 are tapered downward, so as to form correspondingextended conduits 104, passing through the flat walls 96 and 100, whichextend up to the respective delivery spouts 37' and 38, into which theycan slide with a limited stroke, by keeping always into contacttherewith on both the lowered and raised positions of the movable unitportion 92, thereby permitting the coffee (or other infused beverage) topass through each conduit 104 and the corresponding spout.

In turn, each extended conduit 104 is connected to the mixer-emulsifier52 through a respective further conduit 105, in which a correspondingswitching valve member 106 affecting the inflow port of such conduit ishoused which member is made as a solenoid valve or similar element,which can be operated on two different operative positions thereof, inthe first of which it puts into communication the conduit 104 with theunderlying delivery spout only, and not with the conduit 105 so as tointerrupt the communication with the mixer-emulsifier, and in the secondposition, in which it puts into communication the conduit 104 with theconduit 105 only, and therefore with the mixer-emulsifier and not withthe delivery spout.

Furthermore each delivery spout communicates directly with theassociated boiler through an auxiliary conduit, affected by a solenoidvalve or the like and provided with an injector (all these componentsare not indicated in the Figures) leading near the same spout. Theobject of such auxiliary system is to permit pre-established meteredquantities of hot water to pass through the respective spout, whichwater therefore is introduced in the underlying glass or receptaclebefore the coffee (or other infused beverage), so as to determine theadditional metering (espresso coffee for one or two persons). Such anadditional metering is adjusted by setting it in advance at the neededamount with the push-button 59 on the control panelboard 54, therebydetermining a change of the opening times of the solenoid valveassociated to such an auxiliary conduit, and therefore of the deliveredhot water quantity.

Turning now to FIG. 20, which shows the electric circuit diagram of thecomponent parts of the infusion units 35 and 36, it is noted that thesecomponent parts substantially comprise a circulating pump 107 joined tothe water supply or any possible separate water container (not shown)and the associated boilers 37 of said infusion units, through arespective metered volumes 108 and 109 and a respective solenoid valve110 and 111 or the like connected to the machine electric circuit andcontrolled by the control logic circuits. In this case, the waterquantities are counted by the volumetric meterings 108 and 109, theadjustments of which are set in advance on the machine controlpanelboard 54, and introduced into the boilers through the solenoidvalves 110 and 111, thereby providing for metering the coffee (or otherinfused beverage) to be delivered.

These component parts also comprise the resistances, not indicated inthe Figure, for heating water in the boilers and the steam generatingboiler (not shown), with the associated temperature sensors, control andregulation switches, the microswitch 91 for sensing the presence of thewaffle band 41 and the microswitches 112 and 113 for sensing the upperand lower end of stroke of the movable unit portion 92, as well assensors for sensing the level and the minimum safety level into thesteam boiler, as well as sensors for sensing and supervising theoperation of the different component parts, and the like. In addition,these component parts are regulated through relays controlled by signalsgenerated by the machine control logic circuits, which in turn areassembled on a card.

Turning now to FIGS. 1,2 and 13-19, the mixer-emulsifier 52 isrepresented schematically for preparing and distributing either thewhite coffee, or other infused beverages mixed with milk, or the hotmilk only, with or without foam. This mixer-emulsifier is substantiallyconstituted by a first and a second box-like structure 114 and 115having different dimensions, which are communicating with each other,and joined laterally to the conduits 105 communicating with the infusionunits 35 and 36 as described hereinabove and provided at the upper sidethereof with an air conduit 117, open at its upper side and affected bya related solenoid valve or the like (not shown), the opening or closingof which respectively permits or prevents the air passage through thesame conduit, as well as provided at the lower side thereof with one ormore short conduits 118 for distributing either the coffee (or otherinfused beverage), or the white coffee (or other infused beverages mixedwith milk), or the milk only.

In FIGS. 13-19, in particular, there are shown some possible embodimentsof the mixer-emulsifier 52. In FIG. 13 it is noted that themixer-emulsifier is provided with a single lower conduit 118 and twoupper conduits 119 and 120, which are provided respectively for thepassage of steam under pressure and milk and which are connected througha corresponding solenoid valve or the like (not shown) to the steamgenerating boiler and the milk vessel, said conduits being connected tothe other conduit 117 by means of a common manifold conduit 121.

In this way, the distribution of the white coffee (or other infusedbeverage) is obtained by opening at the same time the solenoid valvesfor the passage of the milk, steam under pressure and air, thus causingthe milk to be heated by the steam under pressure and emulsificationwith air sucked by venturi effect, with consequent milk foam production,and effecting the mixing of this latter with coffee (or other infusedbeverage) introduced at the same time into the mixer-emulsifier througheither one or both conduits 105 connected to the infusion units referredto. In turn, the distribution of the single heated milk without foamproduction is obtained by interrupting the passage of coffee (or otherinfused beverage), and opening the solenoid valves for the passage ofmilk and steam under pressure, as well as closing the solenoid valve toprevent introduction of air with consequent preparation of hot milkwithout emulsifying it with air.

Similarly the distribution of hot milk with foam is effected with thesame sequence of steps as described, with the additional opening of thesolenoid valve for air, which therefore causes the emulsion of such milkwith air.

In FIGS. 14 and 15 there are shown two other embodiments of themixer-emulsifier, which are provided with one (or more) pairs of lowerdistribution conduits 118, onto at least one of which the conduit 105 ofthe infusion units leads (on the left side conduit in the FIG. 14, andon the right side conduit in the FIG. 15).

FIGS. 16-18 show another embodiment of the component part of themixer-emulsifier. This component part is constituted by the box-likestructure 114 provided with a pair of conduits 105 joined laterallythereto, for introducing coffee (or other infused beverage) therein,which conduits are bent downward continuing with a respectiveproduction, and effecting the mixing of this latter with coffee (orother infused beverage) introduced at the same time into themixer-emulsifier through either one or both conduits 105 connected tothe infusion units referred to. In turn, the distribution of the singleheated milk without foam production is obtained by interrupting thepassage of coffee (or other infused beverage), and opening the solenoidvalves for the passage of milk and steam under pressure, as well asclosing the solenoid valve to prevent introduction of air withconsequent preparation of hot milk without emulsifying it with air.

Similarly the distribution of hot milk with foam is effected with thesame sequence of steps as described, with the additional opening of thesolenoid valve for air, which therefore causes the emulsion of such milkwith air.

In FIGS. 14 and 15 there are shown two other embodiments of themixer-emulsifier, which are provided with one (or more) pairs of lowerdistribution conduits 118, onto at least one of which the conduit 105 ofthe infusion units leads (on the left side conduit in the FIG. 14, andon the right side conduit in the FIG. 15).

FIGS. 16-18 show another embodiment of the component part of themixer-emulsifier. This component part is constituted by the box-likestructure 114 provided with a pair of conduits 105 joined laterallythereto, for introducing coffee (or other infused beverage) therein,which conduits are bent downward continuing with a respective shortportion of vertical conduit 123, as well as provided with a single upperconduit 124 joined at the lower side thereof to a pair of conduits 125directed downward, which continue with a respective short portion ofvertical conduit 126, parallel to and spaced away from the precedingconduit portions 123, wherein such an upper conduit 124 can be coupledto the other box-like structure 115 of the mixer-emulsifier, which isprovided with the same upper conduits 117, 119 and 120, and as shown inFIG. 19. In this way, the milk which is introduced through themixer-emulsifier 52 is distributed through the conduits 125 into theglass, where it mixes itself with the coffee (or other infused beverage)distributed through the conduits 105.

There are now described briefly the operative cycles which can beperformed with the machine according to the inventions which asexplained permit the distribution either of the coffee only (or otherinfused beverage) by utilizing the waffles 40 packed in advance, or thewhite coffee (or other infused beverage mixed with milk) or the milkonly, with or without foam.

First of all in order to introduce a waffle band 41 in the machine, theupper portion 31 thereof is provided with at least a lid 128 for theaccess to a push-button of "SET", which is operated to a switched onposition thereof after the extended initial end portion of the same bandhas been introduced in the inlet end portion of the guide and feedingmechanism 43, until the extended portion positions itself near thepowered rollers 81-85, which engage it and therefore determine the bandadvancement, by stopping it as soon as the sensor 91 senses the initialportion of the first waffle, which in turn is positioned upstream thefirst infusion unit 35. At this point, the machine is ready for theselection, which is effected by acting on the control panelboards 54, 55and 56, of both the different desired operative cycles, and therespective dose of coffee (or other infused beverage) to be distributed,until the maximum amount thereof recommended by the manufacturer ordistributor, the adjustment of which determines a consequent change ofthe switching on time of the volumetric meters 108 and 109 associated tothe respective infusion units 35 and 36.

Then, in the case in which the coffee distribution for one or twopersons, without metered addition of hot water, is selected by pressingeither the push-button 57 or 58, this cycle provides first of all thewaffle band advancement up to position respectively a single wafflebelow the infusion unit 35 or two waffles one before the other below thecorresponding infusion units 36 and 35. Afterwards, as soon as thewaffle or waffles have reached this position, the eccentric or cam 101of the associated infusion unit is driven in rotation and thereforeprovides for displacing the correspondent unit portion 92 from itslowered position of FIG. 6 to its raised position of FIG. 8, in a mannerthat the corresponding half-filters enclose such waffle or waffles.Thereafter, prior to performing the infusion operation in the associatedinfusion unit, a brief pre-infusion step (of 1" approx.) is performedtherein by switching on for this purpose solely the solenoid valve ofthis unit for such short time, with consequent passage of a reducedquantity of hot water which moistens the thin wall of the underlyingwaffle positioned there, thereby facilitating the carrying out of thesubsequent actual infusion step and improving the quality of theobtained infused beverage. The actual infusion step follows suchpre-infusion step, and is performed by keeping the metered volume on forthe previously selected period of time, which metered volume isassociated with the infusion unit or units, with consequent distributionof the desired dose of coffee (or other infused beverage) respectivelyfor one or two persons. Then, at the end of the infusion step, sucheccentric or cam 101 is driven in rotation again, thus displacing thecorrespondent unit portion 92 from the raised position to the loweredposition thereof, so that the corresponding half-filters do no moreenclose the already used and exhausted waffle or waffles, and switch thepowered rollers 81-85 on for a short time (of approx. 0,5"), which issufficient to advance the waffle band 41, and move the exhausted waffleor waffles out of the half-filters, thus preventing any undesiredsticking of the same waffles between the half-filters. In the case inwhich the distribution of coffee for one or two persons, with meteredaddition of hot water, is selected by pressing either the push-button 59or 60, at a desired pre-established quantity thereof which has beenselected in advance with the push-button 63 in a way to change theduration of the water supply as described hereinabove, such adistribution is effected by introducing in the underlying glass first ofall this additional metered hot water and thereafter the coffee (orother infused beverage) which is prepared with the same operative stepsas described.

In order to permit the end portion of each band to be sensed, when allthe waffles are exhausted, the electric pulses which will be generatedby the sensor 91 after the passage of all the waffles therethrough,which corresponds to the length of the same band, are stored in advancein the machine logic circuits by acting on the control panelboards ofthe same machine. In this manner, as long as the waffles of the band areutilized, the sensor provides to generate the relative electric pulseswhich are counted progressively by the control logic circuits, and, assoon as these latter sense the presence of the last ten pulses, on thecondition in which the last ten waffles are present below the infusionunits, such condition becomes evident on the display so as to inform theuser that the band will be exhausted imminently and needs to bereplaced. Then when also the last waffles are exhausted, such logiccircuits provides to make evident the exhausted band condition on thedisplay, in order that the user provides for replacing it. In order toperform this operation, the user must first of all actuate the "SET"push-button again, thus switching the powered rollers 81-85 on for ashort time (of approx. 5 min.), which is enough to advance the band insuch a way that the last exhausted waffles are displaced out of theassociated infusion units making free the infusion path and thecorresponding half-filters.

At the same time the metered volumes and solenoid valves associated withthe infusion units 35 and 36 are switched on, with consequent passage ofwater for cleaning the half-filters from the residues of coffee or otherraw materials employed for the infusion and making them ready forperforming the subsequent infusion steps with a new waffle band.

At the end of the cleaning operation, the machine is set for theintroduction of this new waffle band and such condition is displayed onthe display 62, together with the filling condition of the slidabledrawer 34 with the substances discharged after the different infusionsteps, which therefore shows the need of emptying these substances fromthe same drawer.

Afterwards, the new waffle band is introduced in the machine byrepeating the same operations as described with consequent carrying outof further operative cycles for the selection of coffee or other infusedbeverages which are identical to the above cited ones.

The present machine is programmed with its logic circuits for operatingalso in the case in which any possible operative fault or failureoccurs, as for example the waffle band breakage, an incorrect orincomplete compression of waffles, the machine supply lack and the like.Then, in the case of waffle band breakage, this condition is shown onthe display 62, so that the user can remove the broken band portion fromthe machine by reintroducing the band extended initial end portion inthe guide and feeding mechanism 43 and by repeating thereafter the sameoperations of band introduction as previously specified. In the case ofan incorrect or incomplete compression of waffle, the unit portion 92 ofthe respective infusion unit does not reach its upper position orreaches it after a time longer than the pre-established time stored inthe machine logic circuits, so that the sensor of the upper end ofstroke 112 associated with the same unit portion 92 provides forsignalling this operative defect on the display 62, in which conditionthe user selects the desired operative cycle again with the relatedpush-button, so that the unit portion 92 is lowered and then raised,thus determining the correct waffle compression and the consequentdistribution of the selected infused beverage.

In the case of supply lack in the course of an operative cycle, suchcycle is considered ended so that the unit portion or portions 92 in thecourse of the infusion step returns automatically from the raised to thelowered position thereof, and therefore a new selection of the desiredcycle is needed and is performed. Then, under these circumstances, whenthe machine supply is lacking, it is possible to prevent furtherselections by pressing the stop bush-button 61 for a short period oftime (of approx. 10"), by making evident such condition on the display62, by resetting the cycle selection capability again while pressingsuch push-button again for an equal period of time.

In the case in which the distribution of white coffee (or other infusedbeverage mixed with milk) is selected by pressing either the push-button66 or 67, this cycle provides the distribution of milk and thereafterthe distribution of coffee (or other infused beverage) in the underlyingglass or receptacle. For this purpose, when the milk is distributed, themachine logic circuits control the switching on of the solenoid valvesassociated with the respective conduits 117, 119 and 120 for air, steamunder pressure and milk, for a switching on time corresponding to themilk dose to be obtained, which is stored in the above logic circuitsand set in advance on the control panelboards and this condition isshown on the display 62. Subsequently, such logic circuits provide tocontrol at the same time also the switching on of the infusion units 35and 36 for preparing the coffee (or other infused beverage) with thesame operative steps as already described and the switching valve member106 housed in the conduit 105 connected between said infusion units andthe correspondent mixer-emulsifiers 52, so as to switch such a valvemember on its second operative position wherein said infusion units arecommunicating with the corresponding mixer-emulsifiers, thus causing thecoffee (or other infused beverage) to be deviated through the conduit105 and consequently mixed with the milk in the underlying glass orreceptacle.

In the case in which the distribution of the hot milk, without foam, isselected, either the push-button 68 or 69 is pressed and thedistribution of hot milk with foam is pressed and the push-button 70 ispressed in which case the machine control logic circuits provide to keepthe switching valve member 106 switched on its first operative position,in which said infusion units are not communicating with the respectivemixer-emulsifiers, by controlling also the switching on of the solenoidvalves associated with the respective conduits 119 and 120 for steamunder pressure and milk and also the solenoid valve associated with theair conduit 117 for obtaining milk with foam only. Then, in this lattercase, the switching on of the solenoid valve is maintained for a timecorresponding to the dose of hot milk with foam to be obtained, which isstored in the above mentioned logic circuits and set in advance on thecontrol panelboards by showing such operative condition on the display62. The present machine, moreover, also provides for the possibility toadjust, with the same selection criteria on the different controlpanelboards, the switching on of the solenoid valve associated with thesteam conduit, so as to change the heating temperatures for the relativebeverages. Finally, in the different machine control panelboards therecan be selected also different adjustment values for the component partsand the sensors of various kind, as for example for the water levelcontrol and the boiler safety level, the heating resistances etc. . . .

Turning now to the FIGS. 21-25, in which a machine according to theinvention in a second embodiment thereof is shown, it is noted that suchmachine is substantially identical to the one just described andtherefore its constructive items are indicated with the same referencenumerals of the preceding one. However, this machine differs from thepreceding one in that it provides for the distribution of coffee (orother infused beverages) only, and not that of white coffee and milk, soas its relative component parts are eliminated, with consequent machinesize reduction. Besides, in this case the machine provides for thedistribution of a coffee (normal or weak coffee) at a time and for thispurpose it is provided with a single infusion unit 35 cooperating with aguide and feeding mechanism 43, which are made and operating as thesimilar component parts previously described. Then, in this case themachine is provided with three front push-buttons (not shown) for theselection respectively of a coffee (or other infused beverage) with anormal dose (normal coffee), or with the hot water addition (weakcoffee) as well as for stopping the machine operation (stop position)and setting the different operative programs and parameters of the samemachine, with the same criteria as previously described.

This machine can be used both autonomously and combined with thepreviously described machine, in such case by permitting advantageouslyto prepare decaffeinated coffee by introducing respective bands ofwaffles containing decaffeinated coffee therein.

I claim:
 1. A machine for preparing coffee, white coffee or similarinfused beverages, on single or multiple doses thereof, comprising abox-shaped housing (30), an upper portion (31) and a lower portion (32)of said machine contained in said housing, said lower portion (32)having an upper horizontal surface (39), said upper portion having anupper wall (46) and an overturning lid (45) hinged to said wall (46),said upper portion and lower portion being joined, a pair of infusionunits (35) and (36), said upper portion (31) having an interior, a leftside and a right side, said infusion units (35) and (36) being locatedin the interior and left side of said upper portion, being side-by-sideand each having a boiler (37) for containing and heating water and forpreparing steam under pressure, a plurality of waffles (40) containingcoffee or the raw materials of said similar infused beverages, saidwaffles being applied on a band (41), filtering means (97) and (98), aguide and feeding mechanism (43) associated with said infusion units(35) and (36), and with said filtering means, said band (41) advancingtowards said infusion units (35) and (36) and said filtering means forpreparing coffee or said other infused beverages, delivery spouts (37')and (38) located below said infusion units and said band (41), saidcoffee or said similar infused beverages going through said deliveryspouts, receptacles placed on said surface (39), said coffee or saidsimilar infused beverages being collected in said receptacles, abox-shaped tank (44) for containing milk located in said upper portion(31) and being accessible through said lid (45), mixing and emulsifyingmeans (52) for mixing coffee or other similar infused beverages withmilk, a refrigerating system for cooling said box-shaped tank (44),switching means (106) communicating with said infusion units (35) and(36), said filtering means (97) and (98) and said mixing and emulsifyingmeans (52), said switching means (106) being operable from a first to asecond operative position thereof, in which they prevent or permit thecommunication of said infusion units (35) and (36) and said filteringmeans (97) and (98) with said mixing-emulsifying means (52), so as todetermine the distribution of coffee or other infused beveragesrespectively not mixed and mixed with milk; means (108) and (109) forregulating the metering of the coffee or other infused beverages and themilk; selection and control means (54), (55) and (56) being associatedwith said guide and feeding mechanism (43), said infusion units (35) and(36), said filtering means (97) and (98), said switching means (106) andregulating means (108) and (109), for the selection and metering of thedifferent infused beverages to be prepared and distributed and forpreparing and distributing the respectively selected and metered infusedbeverages.
 2. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said guide andfeeding mechanism (43) comprises two flat rectilinear guide members (76)and (77), parallel and spaced away from each other, fixed in the machineat a position below said infusion units (35) and (36), said feedingmechanism (43) being located at said left side of said upper portion(31), and the mechanism comprises a set of idle rollers (78), (79), (80)and a sensor (91) and at the outlet end thereof a set of powered rollers(81), (82), (83), (84), (85), an electric motor (90), said motor beingfixed laterally to said guide members (76), (77), said powered rollersbeing driven in rotation by said electric motor (90), said sensorsensing the presence or absence of said band (41), said guide members(76), (77) have an inlet end at the left side of said upper portion andan outlet end at the right side, said guide members (76), (77) supportat said inlet end, said idle rollers, an interspace (33) is providedbetween said upper portion (31) and said lower portion (32) a slidabledrawer (34) is housed in said interspace, said guide members (76), (77)advancing in a single direction (A) said band (41), from a correspondingcollecting magazine (42), placed side-by-side to said infusion units(35), (36) by passing in succession through said first inlet endportion, said infusion units (35), (36) and said filtering means (97),(98), to said second outlet end portion of said guide members (76),(77), and reaching at least said underlying containing drawer (34), aspring system (86) and a bracket (87), said powered rollers (81), (82),(83), (84), (85) being associated to said spring system (86) and saidbracket (87), said bracket being provided with a first and a secondshank (88), (89), said shank (89) projecting vertically downward beyondsaid powered rollers, said powered rollers (81), (82), (83), (84), (85)being adapted to cause said band (41) to advance or to be stopped at aposition below at least one of said infusion units (35) (36) and saidfiltering means (97), (98), on the respective conditions in which saidsensor (91) senses the initial portion of a waffle (40) and that one ofthe waffle directly following thereto.
 3. The machine according to claim2 which comprises display means and selection and control means whereinsaid sensing sensor (91) also provides for counting all the waffles ofeach band (41), by signalling the end band condition through saiddisplay means (62) associated to said selection and control means (54),(55), (56) for the subsequent replacement of said band (41) with a newband.
 4. The machine according to claim 3 which comprises a movable unitportion (92), a set of vertical and parallel rods (93) which are securedto the lower side of said guide and feeding means (43), an eccentric cam(101) and an electric motor (102), each one of said infusion units (35),(36) is constituted by at least said movable unit portion (92) situatedbelow said boilers (37) and delimiting with the corresponding boilersaid filtering means (96), (97), said movable unit portion (92) beingslidable reciprocatingly along said set of vertical and parallel rods(93), said movable unit portion (92) being driven in a verticaldirection by said eccentric or cam (101), said cam (101) receives therotary motion from at least said electric motor (102), said electricmotor being secured laterally to said guide and feeding means (43), froma lowered position to a raised position thereof and vice versa and saidmovable unit portion (92) is respectively moved away and approached withrespect to the corresponding boiler (37), thereby permitting saidwaffles (40) of said band (41) to be positioned freely and enclosedbetween said filtering means (97), (98) for performing the infusionoperation.
 5. The machine according to claim 4 which comprisesregulating means consisting of metered volumes (108), (109) and solenoidvalues (110), (111) and each boiler (37) is supplied with water throughsaid regulating means and solenoid values (110), (111).
 6. The machineaccording to claim 4 which comprises a lock (103) and at least a hopper(94) which has an upper opened end portion, wherein said movable unitportion (92) is provided with at least said lock (103) cooperating withsaid shank (89) to dampen the impact stresses, said hopper (94) isassociated to each infusion units (35), (36) and supports at said upperopened end portion a first half-filter (97), cooperating with a secondhalf-filter (98), secured at the lower side to the corresponding boiler(37) and forming with the preceding half-filter said filtering means,said hopper (94) being tapered downward so as to form at least anextended conduit (104) for the passage of coffee or other infusedbeverage, said conduit (104) being housed slidably into saidcorrespondent spouts (37', 38) for distribution of coffee or otherinfused beverages, by keeping into contact therewith on both the loweredand raised positions of said movable unit portion (92).
 7. The machineaccording to claim 6 which comprises an auxiliary conduit and eachdelivery spout (37', 38) communicates directly with the associatedboiler (37) through said auxiliary conduit, affected by said regulatingmeans and provided with an injector leading near the same spout forpreparing pre-established metered quantities of hot water to be added tothe coffee or other infused beverage, prior to the preparation thereof.8. The machine according to claim 6 which comprises a conduit (105) anda valve member (106) and wherein said switching means comprise at leastsaid valve member (106) made as a solenoid valve and housed in saidconduit (105) communicating with said extended conduit (104) and saidmixing-emulsifying means (52).
 9. The machine according to claim 8wherein said mixing-emulsifying means (52) comprise a first and a secondbox-shaped structure (114), (115), communicating and combined to eachother, joined to said conduit (105), at least a distribution conduit(118) and respective conduits (117), (119), (120) for the passage ofair, steam under pressure and milk, through said regulating means withselective or contemporaneous control, depending on the fact thatbeverages mixed with milk, or milk only, respectively without or withfoam, must be distributed.
 10. A machine for preparing coffee, orsimilar infused beverages, on single or multiple doses thereof,comprising a box-shaped housing (30), said machine having an upperportion (31) and a lower portion (32) contained in said housing, saidupper portion having an upper wall (46), a left side, a right side andan interior, said upper and lower portion being joined and an interspace(33) being provided between said upper and lower portion, a slidabledrawer (34) housed in said interspace, one infusion unit (35) located inthe interior and left side of said upper portion, said infusion unithaving a boiler (37) for containing and heating water and for preparingsteam under pressure, a plurality of waffles (40) containing coffee orthe raw materials of said similar infused beverages, said waffles beingapplied on a band (41), filtering means (97) and (98), a guide andfeeding mechanism (43) associated with said infusion unit (35) and withsaid filtering means, said band (41) advancing towards said infusionunit (35) and said filtering means for preparing coffee or said otherinfusion beverages, a delivery spout (37') located below said infusionunits and said band (41), said coffee or said similar infused beveragesgoing through said delivery spout and wherein said guide and feedingmechanism (43) comprises two flat rectilinear guide members (76), (77),parallel and spaced away from each other, fixed in the machine at aposition below said infusion unit (35), said feeding mechanism (43)being located at said left side of said upper portion (31), and themechanism comprises a sensor (91), said sensor sensing the presence orabsence of said band (41), said guide members (76), (77) have an inletend at the left side of said upper portion and an outlet end at theright side, said guide members (76), (77) advancing in a singledirection (A) said band (41), from a corresponding collecting magazine(42) placed side-by-side to said infusion unit (35), by passing insuccession through said first inlet end portion, said infusion unit (35)and said filtering means (97), (98) to said second outlet end portion ofsaid guide members (76), (77) and reaching at least said underlyingcontaining drawer (34) and the machine comprises a movable unit portion(92), an eccentric cam (101) and an electric motor (102), said movableunit portion (92) being driven in a vertical direction by said eccentricor cam (101), said cam (101) receiving the rotary motion from at leastsaid electric motor (102), said electric motor being secured laterallysaid guide and feeding means (43), from a lowered position to a raisedposition thereof, and vice versa, and said movable unit portion (92) isrespectively moved away and approached with respect to the correspondingboiler (37), thereby permitting said waffles (40) of said band (41) tobe positioned freely and enclosed between said filtering means (97),(98) for performing the infusion operation, two selection and controlmeans (54) and (55) being associated with said guide and feedingmechanism (43), said infusion unit and said filtering means (97), (98)for the selection and metering of the different infused beverages to beprepared and distributed and for preparing and distributing therespectively selected and metered infused beverages.